SES Chapter 178 Part 2

Luo Ren didn’t respond. Instinctively, he reached for the dagger by his pillow. In the darkness, the blade gleamed coldly as he gripped the hilt with white-knuckled force.

“Things went so smoothly, I really should thank you for moving everyone away in a single day.”

Yes. It was his mistake.

Leopard’s voice was low, like a whisper. “Last night, the fog was thick. The mountain paths were strange. No matter how I searched, I couldn’t find your little beauty.”

“But that’s all right. There were some twists, but the result is the same. Luo, I really can’t wait to see you.”

She hung up.

Almost at the same instant, Luo Ren hurled the dagger from his hand. He couldn’t say how much force he used—only that the silver blade flashed and buried itself deep in the wall opposite him.

The night was quiet. The bedroom was quiet. In the distance, the tourist district’s lights still shimmered—hazy glows tracing the shining river, green trees, and stone bridges.

Luo Ren got out of bed. After standing there for a long moment, rage exploded out of him. He grabbed the bed frame with both hands and lifted the entire bed off the ground—then suddenly let go halfway.

The crash was deafening. The wooden floor nearly split. Luo Ren strode out the door. As he ran down the stairs, lights flicked on in nearby homes. Anxious silhouettes moved at the windows.

This place was usually peaceful and calm. The sudden crash in the dead of night plunged the neighbors into unease.

What happened? A break-in? Should they call the police? Was someone hurt?

Gather and Scatter as Fate Wills.

Because security in the scenic area was good and the bar usually had people staying overnight, after closing, the “lock” on the front door was nothing more than a wooden bar on the inside.

Luo Ren pushed but couldn’t open it. Irritation flared. He grabbed the door rings, pulled, then shoved hard. The double doors burst open. He had just stepped inside when a figure lunged at him from the side.

The attack was fully committed—fierce, explosive. In an instant, it was upon him. A hand locked onto his throat, a knee slammed into his chest and abdomen, flipping him onto the ground. A cold, sharp edge pressed against his neck.

Luo Ren knew it was Qingmu. He didn’t dodge or fight back. Qingmu seemed to sense something was off and let out a soft sound of surprise, flipping the blade so the flat pressed against Luo Ren’s throat instead.

The lights snapped on.

Yan Hongsand had rushed over. Uncle Zhang and Yi Wan San were awake as well. Cao Jiefang had definitely been startled—the frantic flapping of wings echoed his frustration at being unable to leave the cage and see what was going on. Qingmu froze for a moment, then stood up. The pressure on Luo Ren’s chest eased, only to be replaced by backlash pain, as though his organs had all shifted out of place.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Huo Zihong came down last, wrapped in a coat, looking lost.

Qingmu’s face was dark. He reached out to help Luo Ren up.

After a moment, Luo Ren took his hand—but only sat up. He didn’t stand. He said, “Drink.”

Qingmu understood. He went to the bar without bothering to check labels. Whatever was on the shelves, he grabbed—six bottles in both hands.

Some of them were definitely expensive. Only someone who knew liquor would feel the pain. Yi Wan San panicked. “Hey, that one—”

Qingmu shot him a cold look. Almost at the same time, Huo Zihong tugged at Yi Wan San’s sleeve. “Let it go.”

Then she said to the others, “Go back to your rooms and sleep.”

She could tell something was wrong, but it felt like a private matter between Qingmu and Luo Ren, and she didn’t want to pry.

Everyone gradually returned upstairs. Yan Hongsand turned off the lights, leaving a single wall lamp on for Qingmu and Luo Ren. As she was about to head up, something stirred in her mind. She ducked behind the wall and peeked out, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Cao Jiefang—nearly laughing out loud.

That chicken had no idea what had possessed it. Its neck was stretched out of the cage, mimicking her perfectly, looking alert and intent on eavesdropping.

The problem was that, from her angle, she could see Qingmu and Luo Ren. But no matter how far Cao Jiefang stretched his neck, all he could see was the bar counter. What exactly was he straining for?

She watched Qingmu pop open a bottle cap—using his dagger. A quick twist, a sharp pop, the cap spun through the air and hit the floor. Clean, effortless.

He clinked bottles with Luo Ren.

The crisp sound of glass striking glass rang out. Luo Ren didn’t move. He held the bottle, staring through its mouth at the amber liquid gently rippling inside.

He said, “Qingmu, I need to ask you for something.”

“Say it.”

“Leopard will probably show herself in the next couple of days. When that happens, I want you to handle everything.”

Qingmu didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

“You take command. I’ll follow your orders.”

Qingmu looked at him. After a moment’s silence, Luo Ren said, “Mu Dai is in her hands. I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay calm enough to coordinate things.”

It was like when a hostage was a close family member of a police officer—the entire rescue plan had to be handled by someone else. Care breeds chaos. Fear, hesitation, recklessness, second-guessing—any of it could cost the best chance.

Qingmu sneered. “Leopard’s crushed your spirit, hasn’t she?”

Luo Ren said nothing.

“First, Tasha, then nine brothers, now your little girlfriend. Luo, you’ve lost to Leopard too many times. You won’t admit it, but you’re already afraid.”

Luo Ren remained silent. His clenched knuckles slowly turned white.

Yan Hongsand held her breath without realizing it. The hand that had been resting against the wall was now gripping it tightly.

Qingmu laughed loudly, tipped his head back, and took a long swig of liquor. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Fine.”

Luo Ren turned to look at him.

Qingmu was still smiling, his eyes cold and vicious. “But there’s something I need to make clear first. My ultimate goal in dealing with Leopard is revenge for my brothers. In my plans, your girlfriend is expendable.”

Luo Ren exploded. He lunged up, seized Qingmu by the collar, and slammed him back against the corner of the table.

Qingmu didn’t avoid his gaze. He met it head-on. His collar was pulled crooked, but he remained utterly calm, lifting the bottle and taking another drink.

“Any problem with that?” he said. “She’s not my woman.”

“Luo, no one can take responsibility for anyone else. I’d die for my brothers. For revenge, I won’t spare her. To reach my goal, I will sacrifice her without hesitation.”

“Want to save her? Then save her yourself. That’s your responsibility—not mine.”